Late last year, 24 individuals were apprehended by federal immigration officers in Marion County on November 11th, 2025, and, according to the immigration advocacy group Oregon for All, it marked “the highest single-day total for detentions in years.” And following in December, 4 more individuals were arrested by U.S. Customs Enforcement, marking the end of the year with the same idea carrying on to the next. Are our students safe from these same apprehensions and aggression?. I spoke with our principal, Mr. Ruiz, about how our students who have been affected by this can take safety precautions. “We are committed to protecting students’ rights and making sure families are treated with dignity and care. If you or any student ever feels worried or unsafe, please reach out to a trusted adult at school. You are not alone, and we are here to support you. Mr. Ruiz also pointed to district communications that outline Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ commitments related to immigration:
Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ Immigration Commitments
- The district will not assist ICE with immigration enforcement or share information without a court order.
- Immigration officials are not allowed beyond the front office and cannot remove students without a court order.
- Schools do not ask for or keep records about a student’s immigration status.
What the district will do:
- Clearly communicate students’ and families’ rights and protections.
- Train staff on policies and procedures related to immigration matters.
- Route all immigration-related legal requests to the superintendent’s office.
- Partner with community organizations to help families access information and support outside of school.
And also answering the question i had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Jenny, our Latin X coordinator and organizer for the club, about her thoughts on how to help our Titans, “I know the district’s stance, but we never talk about it. I do not know how human decency is a political issue. I do not know how kindness, hunger, and empathy are political, but it has become political. I am embarrassed to say I am not sure of safety measures, and I do not think our students know exactly. In my classroom, I am clear about how I feel about bullying, racism, abuse of power, and our students having a voice, and that school should be safe. My classroom should feel brave and safe to be themselves. Students know my stance on dehumanizing or objectifying anyone. I respect each student, hold them accountable for their choices, and try to understand that they have worries, fears, and wars they are fighting at home. I have zero tolerance for ignorant comments, and I value and encourage my students to be curious, creative learners. I will protect them from ignorant, illegal, unconstitutional, threatening entities with my brain, my body, and my words. I will use my influence, privilege, and access to stand in the gap, to stand between harm and my students. Even if I am unsure because right now, in this time in history and this government, I cannot just sit around and wonder what to do. I could not live with myself if I did not do everything I could to protect my students. They know this because I tell them this in regards to lockdowns, fights, earthquakes, and fires that if they are in harm’s way, I will think of them and do what I would do for my own child, my own parents, my own Nana and Tata. I pray every day that I will know what to do and do it without hesitation.”
Extending that idea, many civil rights have been put in place for a long time, yet we still struggle to find equality and justice. We have had a long battle between the basic needs and availability for immigrants trying to become citizens, and according to the US Department of State, U.S. law limits any single country to no more than 7% of the total immigrant visas issued annually.”U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. (2025, December 2). Visa bulletin for January 2026 [Web page]. Paragraph 2 https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-january-2026.html
The American Immigration Council reports that an immigrant from Mexico may have to wait anywhere between five and 25 years to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, depending on their situation. For those who are immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—such as a spouse, parent, or minor child—the overall process usually takes about five to seven years. This includes the wait for a green card, the required period of lawful residency, and the naturalization process. (Cruz, M. (2025, September 17). Why is it so hard to become a US citizen? American Immigration Council. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/is-it-hard-to-become-a-us-citizen/)And day in and day out, it has become harder to become a US resident, let alone apply for a visa. And yet, despite all of these barriers, people still come. They come for the same reasons generations before them did: to work, to build a better life, to give their children opportunities they never had, and to find safety and hope. They come here for refuge, seeking hope because the American dream for them is very much alive. They are the millions of hard-working people that you see in the fields picking up the very fruits and vegetables you see on your table, despite the conditions that they may come across, whether in the beating heat or the winter cold. They are the construction workers who erect the buildings that fill up the skies and uplift and grow the American sightseeing eye, and many of them want to get right with the law and abide by the law and be an American citizen, they are taxpayers, small business owners, young entrepreneurs who seek to build this country with their rich cultures and diversity and In our own community, this reality shapes the experiences of many students and families. While national debates over immigration policy continue, local schools like ours focus on providing a safe, welcoming environment, making sure that students know their rights and have access to trusted adults, resources, and support. The same echoing verse is heard throughout Latin America, Si Se Puede!
God bless y vamos, Titans!
